The Food and Drug Laboratory Branch (FDLB) provides services and leadership as a public health reference and research laboratory. To ensure the safety of Californians, FDLB provides the necessary analytical support to screen for, identify, and quantify chemical and microbiological contaminants in food, drugs, and cosmetics. FDLB also provides regulatory services for substances of abuse laboratories. All activities implement and support legislatively mandated programs. FDLB also works closely with federal and local governments for real time surveillance, consumer complaints, emergency responses, and outbreaks.
Abused Substances Analysis Section (ASAS) operates a regulatory program that establishes and maintains the competency of laboratories determining blood alcohol levels for the enforcement of drunk driving laws and approves breath alcohol testing procedures used in the State. ASAS also operates a regulatory program that determines and maintains the competency of laboratories providing urine drug screening services to the narcotic treatment programs in the State.
Chemistry Section analyzes food, drugs, cosmetics, and other consumer products for chemical adulterations. Common analytes include toxic metals, seafood toxins, carcinogens, prescription drugs ingredients, food additives and preservatives.
Microbiology Section analyzes food, drugs, cosmetics, and environmental samples for microbial contamination. Generic tests for microbial load, sterility, or contamination are available. In addition, tests for specific agents, such as
E. coli O157:H7,
Salmonella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and
Listeria monocytogenes can be conducted. Rapid testing for protein biotoxins that cause food poisoning, such as the botulism toxins, staphylococcal enterotoxins and ricin, is available.
Our Cannabis Testing Section (CTS) has moved to the new Department of Cannabis Control which has launched a new state
cannabis website with expanded resources for cannabis businesses, consumers and the public.ā